Instead of a big-money move, the urbane Spaniard says Deeney should focus on winning an England call-up.

Flores said: “It is impossible that Deeney will abandon the project in the middle of the season. After that, at the end of the season, anything is possible.

“But he is such an important player for us – he manages the inside of the team – and he is not thinking about going to another team because for him the next stage should be playing for England.

“The work of Deeney deserves this kind of price. He is playing well, he is scoring, he is a reference for English football, so why not? Nothing surprises me with Deeney any more.

“We have seen many times in the past players selected by England from humble teams – which was the case with Jamie Vardy. Finally he is going to the national team because the coach values his performances.

“From my point of view, and Iggy's, people want us and that shows we've been doing something right for the past six months, but we've got a project to complete here.”

Ighalo, who worshipped United strikers Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole as a boy watching on TV in Nigeria, said: “I don't think I will be leaving (in January) but I'm not sure I would say no if United called.

“They were my team growing up. They were my idols and playing at Old Trafford has always been a dream.”

Flores is likely to rest Ighalo for Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Newcastle.